Ironwood fire knocked down; damage extensive

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

Ironwood - The Ironwood Public Safety Department and volunteer firefighters knocked down a kitchen fire Wednesday at 10:22 a.m. at the corner of Lowell and Francis Streets, but there was extensive smoke damage.

Homeowner Tammie Ruby said the fire started from an air fryer in the kitchen. She said she had just cleaned it when it suddenly burst into flames.

"The kitchen's pretty much a total loss," she said.

Smoke was pouring out from the top floor windows of the house at 1017 N. Lowell St. when fire trucks arrived.

After the fire had been doused around 11 a.m., friends and relatives were outside in the cold awaiting the capture of the last two pets in the house, a small black dog and a cat. Firefighters then walked out of the structure with the pets. They had been hiding after the fire.

Earlier, a cat ran out a back door of the house.

All of the pets appeared to shaken, but appeared to be in good shape.

IPSD Fire Officer Brandon Snyder confirmed there was extensive smoke damage and said it didn't appear the house was liveable.

He said it was fortunate that after trying to put down the fire with an extinguisher, the doors had all been shut by the occupants, as that prevented oxygen from fueling the fire.

He said the smoke inside was very heavy when he entered the structure.

There was no water damage, Snyder said, because not much was needed to douse the fire.

Hurley police assisted with traffic control and Xcel Energy workers were also called to the scene.

A fire report was to be filled out later by the IPSD.